Jefferson Avenue Footbridge rehabilitation to move forward with full $10.8 million scope

The rehabilitation project for the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge on Historic Commercial Street is finally gaining speed and taking steps toward reopening. The bridge has been closed more than eight years but Springfield City Council has given the green light to pursue a full rehabilitation of the bridge despite the steep $10.8 million price tag.

The rehabilitation project will include ADA upgrades, including elevators, repairs from corrosion that has deteriorated the bridge's structure and replacement of lead-based paint. The project received one bid from Branco Enterprises Inc., which included two alternatives to give the city flexibility in terms of cost and scope of the work. While council was presented with three other options, the collective overall supported the full, albeit most expensive, option for the project.

What lead up to this?

The bridge was closed in March 2016 when a routine inspection found corrosion and deterioration that posed safety concerns. The bridge has remained closed ever since.

While the city previously bid out the project in 2021, the bids came in double what was estimated. Public Works Director Dan Smith said the project is a complex and risky one for contractors, which drives up the price. The bridge's age, structural sensitivity, positioning above 13 tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard and lead-based paint removal all make up the risk contractors have to assess.

More: With funding in place, Jefferson Avenue Footbridge supporters hope for swift repairs

What were the other options?

The other options offered the removal of a south approach of the bridge that is a part of the original structure and a different "overcoat" paint system that would have painted over existing paint rather than removing it. This bid again came in above the estimated amounts, though Smith said the construction industry is facing unprecedented inflation which is further exacerbated by the high demand for contract work as pandemic-relief fund expenditure deadlines approach.

Here were the other options council considered:

The options utilizing the overcoat paint method however would have the shortest lifecycle before needing significant maintenance, 5-10 years, while the full paint method extends this to 20-25 years.

Feedback gathered from local residents and Commercial Street business owners at a community event last week noted a strong preference, 75% of respondents, to pursue the more expensive option that retains the south approach and includes a longer lifecycle with the full paint system. Many were wary of removing a part of the original structure that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

At council's meeting Tuesday, council members and Mayor Ken McClure shared similar sentiments, particularly with a focus on an extended maintenance life.

"I think rebidding is not an option, waiting is not an option," McClure said. "We need to get this done, we need to do it right."

While council members were supportive of moving forward with the full project, a council bill seeking official approval of accepting the bid will come before them at a later meeting.

More: Springfield City Council readies a $26 million bond package. Here's what it will fund

How will the city pay for this?

The city already has $8.4 million set aside for the project. The bulk of the funding is coming from the state, roughly $7.8 million to be used for the rehabilitation work. Another $50,000 is coming from the Commercial Club and $542,000 from local sales tax funds. Because of the state funds, the project has to solely focus on the bridge itself, not improvements to the footbridge plaza.

In 2021 the project also included some federal funds but Smith said those funds were left out this time because of the additional requirements the federal dollars added to the project, which could have added to the cost on the contractor side.

A bond package, presented to council for the first time Monday , preemptively included another $2.4 million for the footbridge to make up the gap to pursue the project to its fullest if they chose to do so. The full $26 million bond package will be up for approval June 10 which will make the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge project fully funded.

At the community meeting, city staff said the project is expected to begin construction in spring next year with completion targeted for fall 2025.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Jefferson Avenue Footbridge rehabilitation to move forward with full $10.8 million scope